■The proposed site in Florence for 212 townhouse apartment units is a vast tract of undeveloped farmland containing some 111 acres. The parcel in question extends from Meadow Street northwest to Look Memorial Park and the Northampton Country Club.
■A simulated disaster exercise was conducted Thursday at the Leeds Veterans Administration Hospital for the purpose of testing cooperative plans which have been developed between the hospital and the city. The mock exercise involved the crash and demolition of a small aircraft in the farm area with accompanying fire.
■An official in New Mexico with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be the next leader of the federal agency’s medical center in Leeds. Bruce A. Gordon, of Albuquerque, N.M., has been named the new permanent director.
■Smith College is continuing its whirlwind of celebrations in honor of its founder Sophia Smith with a symposium and other festivities Friday and Saturday, and the creation of a new prize to be awarded next year. President Ruth J. Simmons announced the establishment of the Sophia Smith Award, a major national prize to recognize an individual who has made a significant and last contribution to the education of women.
■About 40 marchers participated in a rally to stop climate change Sunday on Bridge Street in Northampton. Some marchers held signs that said “Back to 350,” referring to the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere, for which scientists consider 350 parts per million the safe upper limit.
■Cyclists of all ages, interests and experience levels, gathered at Look Park on Saturday to celebrate the joy of biking. Now in its fourth year, the BikeFest event is organized by the Northampton Cycling Club.